|
 |
SPAR Scotland prides itself on being an
extended family, made up of , our staff, our retailers and our
customers.
SPAR Scotland is owned and operated by CJ Lang & Son Limited,
Scotland's largest independent wholesaler.
 How
It all Began
Charles J. Lang started his involvement in the food industry
when he went to work for his uncle's grocery store in St Andrews.
His interest developed and in 1919 he purchased Max Poulson's
food brokers business in Dundee. This business had been established
since 1880 and in the aftermath of the First World War, Charles
Lang saw great opportunities for business. In those days, there
were 5 dollars to £1 and therefore America and Canada
offered great opportunities for food importing at advantageous
rates. Holland also provided a good market and the Import of
Dutch cheese grew until the Company was recognised as the leading
importer of cheese in the country. The Dutch connection was
developed with more and more Dutch products being imported by
the company. Corned beef was another popular line and having
bought it in cases of 12 for 42/6d, it was then sold at 2d per
quarter and the Lang trade name of "Stelma" was a
renowned product and a good seller.
 Junior
joins the Business
When CJ Lang started in the business in 1927, he was given
a brown sample bag and told by his father, "out you go
junior. Take this bag and get selling!". The market was
primarily grocer's shops but goods were also supplied to boarding
houses and hotels. In addition to the cheese, CJ Lang also
had the sole agreement to sell "Middlemass" biscuits,
which proved very popular, and as the years went on, more and
more solus agreements were arranged. In recognition of the work
he was doing, the name of the Company was changed in 1934 from
"CJ Lang " to "CJ Lang and Son Limited."
Business prospered and new premises were sought in Dundee for
expansion. The first site was the old Fairweathers Tobacco Factory
behind the King's Theatre. In 1948, the Company purchased much
more spacious premises between Sugar House Wynd and St. Andrews
Street lane. Later on, CJ Lang took over Hugh F.Black and
Sons of Ward Road in Dundee, a local provisions company and
this enabled the first Cash and Carry premises to be developed
in 1960 in Ward Road. This Cash and Carry operation was to be
called "Martex" a name originated by Graham Lang,
young Charles' son .
 From
Small Beginnings
Also In 1960, CJ Lang and Son Limited joined VIVO Group Trading,
later to amalgamate with SPAR Great Britain in 1975. This amalgamation
proved to be one of the most significant moves in the company's
history, at that point SPAR Scotland numbered 102 stores. The
level of growth was accelerating and a new structure of management
helped to direct this process. Martex Cash and Carry started
trading in Perth in the former Dye Works at Tulloch Road and
Martex Dundee moved to its present location in a custom built
warehouse in 1972. Martex Cupar opened in 1974 and Martex Perth
moved to a Greenfield site in the Inveralmond Estate in 1977.
CJ Lang acquired the business of G&P Merchants (Livingston)
Limited in 1982 and this business was moved to Dundee. This
increased the SPAR distribution coverage from the former areas
of Perthshire, Angus and Fife to more than two thirds of Scotland,
from the Highland line to the Borders. CJ Lang subsequently
took over the SPAR Frozen Food distribution for this area and
increased the number of SPAR stores by 108.
 Wholesale
and Retail
The next development was that of SPAR Franchise stores and 1986
saw the opening of two stores in Dundee and Blairgowrie. These
stores, although owned by CJ Lang , were operated by an independent
operator under a Franchise Agreement.
In January 1987, a large retail store was purchased from an
existing SPAR customer in Abronhill, Cumbernauld. In that same
year, 11 retail outlets formerly under the Shoppers Paradise
banner were purchased from the Dee Corporation.
In 1989, CJ Lang and Son Limited bought Edwards (Aberdeen)
Limited which comprised of Cash and Carry, Offshore Supplies,
Delivered Catering and Catering Equipment divisions.
SPAR Scotland
In 1993 SPAR Scotland was born as CJ Lang & Son Ltd consolidated
its position and acquired the SPAR Franchise for the remainder
of Scotland from its primary competition of the time "Watson
& Philip". CJ Lang was now the SPAR Wholesaler for
the whole of Scotland.
Also in 1993 CJ Lang acquired 18 Norco Supermarkets in the
Aberdeen Area and converted them to the SPAR format.
That period of expansion was completed with the development
of a 14.5 acre distribution site at Longtown Road in Dundee
and the development of a purpose built Chilled & Frozen
Distribution Depot at Clepington Road in Dundee.
Continued Growth
CJ Lang has continued dramatic growth with the continued expansion
of its Wholesale and Retail interests.
Acquisitions within the Foodservices area of the business supported
dramatic growth in this area.
Acquisitions of further Retail Stores all over Scotland cemented
CJ Lang 's position as the leading Independent Food Wholesaler
& Retailer in Scotland.
Significant expansion was achieved through National Partnerships
with NAAFI supermarkets.
Considerable and continuing investment in Store Development
to continuously improve the In-Store Service and experience
to our customers.
 Family
Pride
The Company still remains very much a Scottish family business
and as such, is one of Scotland's largest independent Companies.
Mr C.G. Lang's daughter Mrs Joan Scott-Adie is the current Chairman
of the company and the Deputy Chairman is Mr John Scott-Adie
with immediate members of their family as Non-Executive Directors.
|
|
|
